Key takeaways
- Prepare your code for localization before translating a single string.
- Give translators context: screenshots and character limits prevent broken UI.
- Arabic support needs proper right-to-left layouts and testing.
- Localize your app store listing too; it's your first impression.
App localization can open up whole new markets, but it's easy to underestimate. Strings hide in code, buttons overflow, dates appear in the wrong format, and a perfectly translated app can still feel broken. This checklist walks through what to cover, stage by stage.
Stage 1: Prepare the code
- All user-facing text moved out of the code into resource files
- No sentences built by joining fragments (word order changes between languages)
- Plural rules handled properly. Arabic has more plural forms than English
- Dates, times, numbers and currency formatted by locale
- Layouts flexible enough for longer or shorter text
- Right-to-left support enabled and mirrored layouts planned
Tip: Run a "pseudo-localization" test first: replace strings with longer, accented placeholder text to spot hard-coded strings and truncation before real translation begins.
Stage 2: Give translators context
A string like "Open" could be a button, a status or an adjective. Without context, even a great translator has to guess.
- Screenshots or a test build for each screen
- Developer comments explaining where each string appears
- Character limits for buttons, tabs and notifications
- A glossary of features and product names
- Agreed tone: formal or friendly?
Stage 3: Localize beyond the interface
| Item | Often forgotten? | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| App store title, description & keywords | Yes | Drives discovery and downloads |
| Store screenshots | Yes | Users judge the app before installing |
| Push notifications & emails | Yes | Key to engagement and retention |
| Error messages | Very often | Appear when users need help most |
| Help centre & legal pages | Sometimes | Trust and compliance |
Stage 4: Test in every language
- Linguistic testing. Native speakers use the app and check that every screen reads naturally.
- Visual testing. Look for truncation, overlaps and alignment issues, especially in RTL.
- Functional testing. Check input fields, search, sorting and forms with real local data.
- Device testing. Try different screen sizes and system language settings.
Users forgive a missing feature far more easily than an app that feels like it wasn't made for them.
Common mistake: Treating localization as a one-off. Build it into every release so new features ship in all languages at once.
Quick answers
Which file formats do you work with?
Common formats including JSON, XML, iOS .strings, Android strings.xml, XLIFF, PO and spreadsheets.
Can you handle ongoing updates?
Yes. We can translate new strings release by release, keeping terminology consistent.
Do you localize app store listings?
Yes, including keywords researched for each market.
Taking your app to new markets?
From string files to store listings, we'll help you launch with confidence.
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